TAPHONOMY OF MICROMAMMALS CONSUMED BY THE ACHALA FOX (LYCALOPEX CULPAEUS SMITHERSI) IN CÓRDOBA, ARGENTINA. TESTING FOR SEASONAL PATTERNS

DAIANA COLL; FERNANDO J. FERNÁNDEZ; MÓNICA PIA; MARIANA MONDINI

Valencia

Congreso; 4th Palaeontological Virtual Congress; 2023

Universitat de Valencia

Carnivorous mammals generate specific prey bone accumulations, including scats containing ingested remains, namely composed by microvertebrates. Here we present an actualistic study of the micromammals consumed by the Achala fox (Lycalopex culpaeus smithersi), endemic to the Pampa de Achala plateau (2000 masl average, 31º36´S, 64º51´W) in the mountains of Córdoba, Argentina, including previously unpublished samples. While the taphonomic patterns characterizing this canid were previously described, the aim of this new study is to assess whether they were affected by yearly seasonal changes. In order to do that, we compare the taphonomic patterns on the bones produced during the dry and wet seasons, based on 172 faeces collected during 2003, 2005 and 2007. The cavid Galea leucoblephara was the main prey in both seasons, followed by several cricetids. The average relative anatomical abundance was 18.97% in the wet season and 22.3% in the dry one. Cranial elements were the most abundant ones in both seasons, followed by a great proportion of proximal limb elements and pelvis just in the dry season. A high degree of fragmentation was observed in skulls and jaws, with no significant differences between seasons. Notably, light digestion was dominant, but it reached strong and extreme levels in some elements throughout the year. In spite of the intra-annual environmental differences, no significant taphonomic variations are observed. These results contribute to the understanding of the taphonomy of micromammals consumed by this carnivore under different environmental conditions, and therefore, they are relevant to interpreting the formation of the fossil record.